Proposed legislation includes farm-jobs training and boost to dairy farmers
Families enjoy a tour of Graywall Farms in Lebanon - one of the members of the Farmers Cow dairy company. Leading the tour is Lincoln Chesmer (green T-shirt). Photo © 2009 by Brenda Sullivan
Legislation to encourage the production of more Connecticut-grown food is currently under discussion.
HB5419 would allow farmers to sell “acidified” food products they produce – such as pickles and salsa – directly from their farms or at farmers’ markets.
In addition, current limits on the number of turkeys and chickens poultry farmers can produce yearly would increase to 5,000 and 20,000 respectively.
“Too often, we forget that farming in Connecticut isn’t just a hobby, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that sustains thousands of jobs throughout the state,” said State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, whointroduced the bill and who serves as vice-chair of the Environment Committee.
“Unfortunately, we continue to witness a decline in our agricultural heritage and it is compromising our ability to produce locally-grown food,” he said.
The legislation also establishes a Farm Training Jobs Program through the Department of Agriculture.
Some of the instruction topics would include fresh-food processing and packaging, as well as retailing and the use of renewable energy systems.
Elizabeth MacAlister has overcome many obstacles to grow her business of artisan cheeses at Cato Corner Farm in Colchester, CT. The farm produces small batches of handmade cheeses, aged onsite in a “cave” – designed to control temperature and humidity – built with the help of an Agriculture Viability Grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Photo © 2009 by Brenda Sullivan.
Another provision redirects federally-collected milk fees to the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board for the purpose of promoting dairy farms and more milk consumption.
Hurlburt noted that the federal government sets milk prices and that Connecticut farmers are now losing as much as a dollar a gallon, based on fast-rising production costs that puts them at a severe disadvantage compared to out-of-state agribusinesses.
There are about 150 dairy farms in the state, a decrease from 210 in 2007 and 500 in 1990.
According to a University of Connecticut report, the dairy industry supports about 4,200 jobs and generates more than $1 billion in annual sales.
Hurlburt’s proposal is currently being considered by the Legislature’s Environment Committee.
Hurlburt represents Willington, Ashford and Tolland in the General Assembly.
Posted March 22, 2010
Related Links:
“The art and politics of cheese-making”
http://www.remindernews.com/node/7/&url=COL-2009-06-12-12-Ar01200
“Farmers market off to a busy start”
http://www.remindernews.com/node/7/&url=NOR-2009-07-10-7-Ar00700
“Local dairy farmers offer tours”
http://www.remindernews.com/node/7/&url=BROADS-2009-06-19-10-Ar01000
The Farmers Cow http://www.thefarmerscow.com/home.html
Cato Corner Farm http://www.catocornerfarm.com/
Connecticut Farmers on Farming http://www.workingtheland.com/int_farmers.htm
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